I don’t know where the last three weeks have gone, but they’ve flown by. I hope that your festive season was enjoyable. So, did you make any New Year’s resolutions? We didn’t, but we probably ought to have. Something’s just occurred to me: why is it that when we do resolve to do something it is always something (sort of) negative, or hard to do. Something that requires us to deprive ourselves somehow, like losing weight, or drinking less, or watching less TV, or going to the gym more? Why don’t we ever resolve to kiss the person you love more often, or to watch the sun set every evening, or jump in puddles??? Surely if our resolutions were pleasurable we’d be able to keep them longer? What do you think?
One of the things about France that has long held our curiosity is “why do the French lay their tables with the tines of the forks facing downwards?” Another is “Why are the handles of the knives often shaped so that when laid on the table the cutting edge of the blade is uppermost?” Finally, I found an answer to the first question in an interview with Geneviève d’Angenstein, of L’Ecole Française de la Courtoisie et du Protocole that was published in the The Connexion. Apparently, laying the table with the points facing up is deemed to be impolite, aggressive and VERY bad form! Who knew? Actually, I suspect that it stems from the French aristocracy’s tendency to have the family coat of arms on the underside of the handles of their cutlery and this was a way of showing them off. I also learned that in polite society sitting at the the dining table with your hands in your lap is rude. I wonder why? There are all sorts of other insights into what constitute good manners and etiquette, such as when to bise, when and how and who makes the decision to shift from the formal ‘vous’ to the familiar ‘tu’ and more. If you’d like to read the full article you can find it here. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the article. I found it interesting as well as edifying.
Did you see the stories in the news about the Boulangerie Bandit who has been hitting bakeries in Paris? Puts a whole new spin on the traditional hold-up line: “Your croissant or your life!” If you don’t believe me Google it, or you can follow this link to where I first read about him. I promise that it’s true. He struck most recently just two days ago. Let’s hope that he doesn’t inspire someone to do similarly in Sainte-Foy-La-Grande.
Well, I think that’s it for today. We’ve booked our tickets for our return to Les Terraces, but I’m not counting down the days. Yet. Maybe we’ll see you there?
